California sport salmon fishermen ready their reels

SANTA CRUZ (AP) — Recreational salmon fishing off the California coast is back on this year, after a two-year break because of low salmon returns.

SANTA CRUZ (AP) — Recreational salmon fishing off the California coast is back on this year, after a two-year break because of low salmon returns.

The short sport season starts Saturday and is currently scheduled to last through the month of April.

That window could be extended by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, which votes on the issue April 15. The council also will vote on whether to allow a short commercial season, also for the first time in two years.

Following a record low in 2009, federal biologists are predicting a larger return of fall-run chinook salmon to the Sacramento River and its tributaries this year. Salmon from the Sacramento River are a prime source of the fish off of the California and southern Oregon coasts.

Declines in recent years have forced the cancellation of any salmon fishing since 2007.